Australian telcos Telstra and Optus remain on course to finalize their 3G shutdown next week (October 28).
The two carriers both delayed their 3G switch-off plans this year, amid concerns that thousands of customers could suddenly be switched off.
At the start of this year, it was estimated around 740,000 devices were set to be impacted by the switch-off of 3G, though this number is now around 59,000, as noted by the Daily Mail.
In August, the two carriers extended a switch-off period until October.
Telstra had been set to shut down its 3G network by June, while Optus was aiming to retire the service in September. Vodafone Australia, which is a subsidiary of TPG Telecom, closed its 3G network at the end of January.
Australia's switch-off of the service has been delayed by additional services that require 3G technology, such as EFTPOS machines, cars, tablets, and security cameras which all rely on the technology.
Noting the potential issues, in March, the Australian government created a working group, made up of Telstra, Optus, TPG, and the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA), to manage the 3G to 4G switchover "in a safer way." The government said it had concerns that the switch-off could impact the usage of 000 (aka Triple Zero, Australia's main emergency service number).
The carriers have warned that customers check their devices are compatible with the 4G or 5G network, notably to ensure they can connect to emergency services if required.
